Children campaign against practice of child marriage

Child club members

The children of the 'Chetana Bal Bikas Samuha' (one of the 600 Child Clubs supported by Plan in Nepal) recently brought about a change in attitudes that prevented their friend Lalmuni from being married off at 14 years of age - a common practice in their community.

Children's clubs can often tackle serious issues and help change the attitudes of the elders in their communities. Children are the future of these communities and so Plan believes that listening to their views and encouraging them to express themselves is of paramount importance to the sustainable development of the community.

Realising that child marriage was an issue in the community, Plan staff visited the Club and began to discuss the issue with the children. It was discovered that Lalmuni, aged 14, was soon to be wed. The children felt that marriage would impair the girl’s health and that she was too young to leave school and cope with the burden of supporting a family.

They decided to discuss this issue with Lamulni's parents. At first, when her parents listened to the children, they opposed the idea of postponing her marriage.

Her father claimed: "We would have to give a lot of money in dowry if the girl marries at an older age: are you going to give us this money?"

The children did not give up, slowly explaining about the mental and physical stress Lalmuni would endure as a result of this marriage. They stressed that although the family would save some money, this was at the cost of their child's health and education and would affect her for the rest of her life.

This had a profound effect on them. Lalmuni's parents decided not to marry off their child but instead to allow her to continue her education.

Today, Lalmuni is actively attending her school and regular Club meetings. She is extremely thankful to her friends.

This success also boosted the confidence of the Child Club members to organize campaigns against similar social issues. They are proud and inspired by what they can achieve.